Unfortunately due to DVR technical problems (aka family interference) the video I had the Packers versus Bears game was deleted.  So I wasn't able to watch the Packers game again to give a grade on Orlando Pace and how he performed in the game.  However I can watch the next three games, the Steelers, Seahawks and Lions and hand out a grade based on those three games.  This will be an overall grade and analysis of Pace's three games in run blocking situations.   Analyizing just how effective Pace has been as a run blocker, and if his struggles have been part of the reason the overall run game is struggling.

I can put it pretty simply, you won't find this level of analysis anywhere else in the media or on the internet.  No one else has taken the time to break down these players on an individual basis like this to this point in the season.  This is where the best information is you can find anywhere on the internet.  If you're a die hard Chicago Bears fan this is the type of information you want and it's the best information I could provide.  I sincerely hope you appreciate the time and effort I put in to this feature.  This isn't for me and my own ego, it's me hopefully meeting the demand of Chicago Bears fans out there who want to read about this type of information but can't find it anywhere.

If there is enough popular demand I'll continue to do some more analysis  on not only Pace but other players Bears' fans want a true grade on.  This goes for the defensive side of the ball as well.  Now without further delay and selfless promotion, I bring you Orlando Pace's report card as a run blocker in three games as a Chicago Bear.

Steelers game:  Run plays Pace blocking

First run play of the game Pace fails to drive his feet when he locks onto the defender, the defender is able to lock out and keep distance and then get loose and make the tackle on Forte on the run play that went away from him.  grade D

A quick draw hand off, Pace lines up in a two-point stance and the DE attacks his outside shoulder like a pass rush.  Pace gives a simple shove to help the defender up the field, keeps his balance and attacks the DE again as he tries to attack Forte from behind.  Grade B

Hand off up the middle to Adrian Peterson, James Harrison comes with a hard charging pass rush move and completely blows by Pace, but at the same time he takes himself completely out of the play.  Pace doesn't really get a hand on him, but doesn't need to with Harrison taking himself so far out of the play.  Call this grade an incomplete, Pace gets blown by, but the missed block doesn't really effect the play, nor was there any real reason to try to block him since he did Pace a favor.  Grade INC

Power formation, first and goal Pace doesn't really lock onto his man, he tries driving, but he never really has his hands in a good positions and fails to hold the block while driving his feet.  The defender gets loose again and is near the play.  Grade C.

Two TE set single back trap over the two-hole with Omiyale pulling.  Pace unable to lock onto the defender or make any sort of block whatsoever.  He never really fires off the ball to get onto the defender on this run play.  He sorta sits in his two point stance and lets the defender come to him.  He should have moved his feet better and fired off the ball to get a better push on this play.   Grade D

This is one of Pace's better run blocks on this play, he sets in his two point stance and gets and as the defender attacks his inside shoulder he gets a good punch and a drive on the defender.  The defender doesn't really have his balance after Pace's initial punch and even though the old man doesn't quite have the young drive of the feet he once had is able to drive mostly finish the block.  He sorta trips up at the end because of the pile of bodies in front of him, but overall it's a good block on this play.  Grade B. 

A screen play for offensive lineman is a lot like a run play.  They get out in front and lead the way down the field.  On this screen play Pace gets down the field quite well and gets a good block on the defender on the next level.  He is moving well for his size on this play, he gets down the field gets a great initial shove which drives the defender back about another four yards, he then gets another shove as he follows through with his momentum down field.  Grade B

This run play Pace gets driven hard into the inside, into the hole and knocked over.  This is probably his worst effort of the day this far and he pretty much gets bullied into the rushing lane.  Grade F

Next run play Pace gets a decent drive to the inside.  Hard to tell if he completely wins the battle but his initial punch on the defender is good as is his drive.  He doesn't really appear to finish the block though so this one gets an average grade of a C. 

Bears try a little slip screen to the opposite side of Pace here, which makes his blocking assignment relatively simple.  Don't screw it up too bad and hold on to your man just enough.  He gets a decent drive down the field and a good punch on the defender.  Call this another average block with nothing spectacular, but it's effective to a certain point.  Grade C

Next is another little slip screen to the opposite side of Pace.  He doesn't really get a block on the defender who gets good back side pursuit from behind the ball carrier and is able to be in on the play.  Grade of a D here, Pace doesn't do much on this play.  You just don't see a lot of effort on this play. 

Pace gets out front on a sweep play here and is moving okay down the line on it.  The first defender that gets in his way he gets a pretty good punch on.  He doesn't get much more than a punch, but it's a good enough punch that it clears what would have been a hole.  Average block on this play...Grade C. 

Decent block on this run play with the defender trying to give another hard inside move on the run defense.  The play is away from Pace and he drives on his defender until the guy is tripped up by a player in front of him.  Pace gets loose and tries to get down field again.  Average block, Call it a C here. 

Next play is a quick down the side line screen pass.  Pace gets a good lock on block here and gets good drive and push and finish.  Call this block a B. 

This play Pace doesn't really get a good burst off the line and into his blocker.  No good punch, no good drive, not a lot of effort on this block.  The defender is able to lock Pace out and shed the block and get in on the play.  Call this one a D, real lack of effort here. 

Seahawks game

First run block is a good one, Pace gets a good set and then punch on the defender and a decent drive to the outside opening up the hole.  The block really opens and seals the hole well so you give this block a grade of B. 

Pace again gets a solid second block on the defender on the second running play in a row.  He shows good effort and attacks the defender well driving him and moving his feet.  Not quite as good as the first block, but it's good enough to earn a B. 

Pace looks slightly more nimble in this game, at least to start.  He is attacking his targets a little better, but the Bears aren't running behind him so the point of him really attacking a defender isn't as important when the Bears choose to run behind him.  On this play he attacks and gets a decent punch and drive on the defender.  Grade C.

In what looks like it could be one of his best blocks to this point of our report card, Pace gets a good initial pop but falls off the block after getting tripped from the side.  The Bears not surprisingly aren't running behind the left side of their O-Line...instead focusing instead on the right side where things are more solid with Williams and Garza.  Grade C

On the reverse to Devin Hester Pace immediately shoots out to the LB, gets a chip on him and then he's free, he then goes out of screen so I'm not sure if he gets any further of a block until he comes back in the screen and you see him running down the field as if he's a pulling OT on the play.  Nothing further happens from here, so it's a Grade of D. 

Pace finally gets the best block I have seen him get through the first two games of my analysis.  He gets a good pop a good drive and buries the defender into the ground for the pancake.  Superb run block here, too bad the play wasn't run behind him, but we'll take it.  Finally Pace gets a grade of A. 

Another good block for Pace here, not quite as good as the pancake, but good enough that it opens up a rushing lane.  He locks on to the defender, has his pad level low and beneath the defender and drives him up and back.  He completely stands up the defender on this play and looks good in doing so.  You could make an argument for this being an A grade, but based on my own standards this block is worthy of a B.  It's a good block. 

This next block may be an assignment error, I have no way of really knowing because I don't know how the play is specifically designed.  But what gives the impression it's a missed assignment is that Pace shoots out to the weak side LB and is met there by one of the TEs.  You don't usually see a double team block on a Weak side 'backer and the guy who gets free to make the tackle, would have been better off being double teamed.  Since he wasn't double teamed and Pace did get out and not really get a block on a guy on a player that was already blocked we'll call this a D.  Maybe a little harsh but from the look of an assignment error you have to give that a D. 

Well this block is an automatic F, a complete and total failure on Pace's part.  The DE makes the pancake on him, shoving him into the ground while maintaining his own balance and then making the tackle.  The worst block failure I've seen from Pace to this point in the season, although I feel like there was a couple of these types of failures in the Green Bay game as well.  This was a play that Orlando Pace was flat out dominated on, something he didn't used to not have happen to him.  Grade F

This next block is pretty good, Pace sets a good base and drives the defender inside and seals off the edge.  Good pop, good drive, worth a B grade. 

Another pancake block as the Bears run behind Pace again.  Again he seals the edge and pins the DE down and inside and finally into the ground.  Give this a grade of an A because it's a pancake block.  Grade A. 

Pace slips on his block here, he gets a good initial punch but is unable to finish on this run play.  The defender springs loose enough to set the edge for others to come and make the play.  For not being able to finish the block Pace gets a grade of D. 

Pace doesn't get out and block anyone on this play.  It's a sweep that goes away from him and he doesn't hit the weak-side backer or anyone else on the play.  The weak-side backer is never in position to make the play, and the whistle blows before Pace can  hit anyone in the secondary.  Grade D

Another problem here with Pace he never gets a good pop or sets his base and loses his balance before falling to the ground.  Doesn't even really get a good goal line type of push he just falls to his knees.  Grade D. 

This is a good block here on this next play the ball is ran away from Pace again and he gets a good drive block on the defender.  He then muscles up to the second level looking for more action, but the pursuit is already past where he would be able to get a block.  This one I'll give a grade of C. 

Pace gets another decent kick out block on the DE on this run play.  He locks out and turns the defender, good enough for a C grade.  Average block, what you would come to expect from any OT on your line.  Grade C

Pace follows it up with a drive block for a pancake, he's really starting to come alive in this game while at the same time he's not maintaining a  high level of consistency.  He has the most pancake blocks he's had yet this season, but he also has a couple failures mixed in with it.  This time however it looks like Pro-Bowl level form and he just drives and buries the defender.  Grade A.

Pace with a double team block on the DT with the help of Frank Omiyale.  Together they get the DT turned inside and out of the hole.  Good combo block here by these two, as it should be.  Average though so it's a Grade of C. 

On this next play with Garrett Wolfe getting the carry Pace gets a good initial pop and drive but is unable to finish his block.  The pop and drive however is enough to open the hole for Wolfe so it's good for a Grade of C. 

I'm really close to calling this next one an F because Pace gets stood up and then the defender sheds his block and makes the tackle.  F may be a little harsh, but I"m all about maintaining a high standard for Bears offensive linemen.  Pace gets an F for being stood up and shed on this play.  Grade F.

This is a cut block for Pace on this next play.  He succeeds in getting the cut, but the defender is quick to spring back up and pursue hard to the ball.  It's not a very effective cut block even though it is successful.  It doesn't really keep the defender out of the play even though it knocks him off of his feet.  Call it a grade of D. 

Pace gets a good block here, he gets into the defender drives him up because he has a nice low pad level and then drives him out and turns him on the play opening up the run lane.  This play gets a B because it is well executed on Pace's part. 

Grade B

A double team block with the TE on this play they both execute well and drive the defender off the ball and down the field here.  Grade C.

A draw play here late in the game against the Seahawks, well executed by Pace.  He sets in pass blocking mode sell the pass and then is able to keep square and pass block and turn the defender.  Grade of C. 

Good combo block on this play by Pace and the TE, Pace then slips to the second level and hits a LB on the play.  Good play for Pace, Grade B. 

Another good combo block that Pace stays with on the defender as the TE scrapes.  Pace is strong in his technique and his drive on this play.  Grade C. 

Detroit Game:

Double team block between Pace and Omiyale opens up a big hole for Forte.  Good solid double team block here as they get the defender turned and sealed off out of the hole, Omiyale then sheds and gets up and gets a block on a LB while Pace continues to drive the defender out of the hole Grade C. 

Pace's block on this occasion is an average block, he gets into the defender stands him up and turns him to the inside where the hole is supposed to be.  Grade C

On this play Pace gets another good block, he locks onto the defender has leverage in the battle and turns him inside and seals off the edge.  Grade C

On this play it's designed for Pace's responsibility to shoot out and hit the weak-side backer.  Pace gets off the ball fairly well but never really sets and drives into the defender.  He more or less gets a punch block, but no drive.  The defender slides off the block and makes the tackle.   Grade D

A quick hand off the hole opens up between Omiyale and Pace.  Pace gets a good kick out block to open up the hole punching and locking onto the defender.  He gets a good drive for the most part  Grade C

Great drive block here, Pace sets his feet gets the punch and drive drive drive drive drive.....that you love to see from your OTs.  The push Pace gets here buries the defender about six yards away from where he started his initial push.  It's a great pancake block.  Grade A

Pace gets a decent kick out block and let's the defender's outside rush momentum carry him and turn him out of the running lane.  Pace doesn't have to do much work here, but he is still good with the work he does.  Grade C

Pace gets a good drive block on this play he sorta sticks with the defender as he tries to scramble away towards the play.  Pace goes with him and drives him for a while.  Almost into the turf  Grade B

No this is not a misprint it's virtually the same type of block.  Different running play, similar block and effort by Pace.  Pace gets a good drive block on this play he sorta sticks with the defender as he tries to scramble away towards the play.  Pace goes with him and drives him for a while.  Almost into the turf  Grade B

This next block is a battle to a stalemate.  Pace gets blown up, the defender gets the leverage advantage and stands him up.  Pace still has a solid enough base to  hold on and is strong enough to fight through losing the leverage battle.  Grade C. 

Pace tries to get a good cut block on the defender here to create a jumping lane.  He's moderately successful, Grade C

Pace has to try to get a reach and stretch block on this play as the defender wheels up field.  He doesn't really get the reach he needs and the defender is never really blocked.  Grade D

Pace turns the defender in and helps to seal off the edge creating a big hole to the outside.  Nice use of hands and technique to turn the defender inside.  Good block  Grade C

Another good kick out block by Pace sealing off the outside on this play.  Grade C

Another nice seal block to the  inside on the defender.  Pace sets his position and drives his feet and is on the defender throughout most of the play.  It gives the back a nice cut lane to the outside with this block.  Grade B.

The Final Verdict on Pace's run blocking to date: 

So out of the 56 rushing plays the Bears ran in the three games against the Steelers, Seahawks, and Lions 13 of the blocks Orlando Pace threw were a grade of B.  Pace gets a grade of A four times, 13 Bs, 24 Cs 12Ds  2 Fs and 1 INC.  73-percent of the time in these first three on run blocking plays Pace is doing his job or better.  The other 27-percent of the time Pace is essentially failing to do his job very well.

A 73-percent success rate is average at best and in football is really not all that good at all.  Comparable to what KC Joyner rated Roberto Garza and Josh Beekman last year as far as POA and rushing blocks (I'm not using the same formula nor do I exactly know what formula Joyner uses) I'm just trying to fairly measure what I understand Joyner's formula to be.  73-percent is about 16-percent worse than what Garza and Beekman had last year for all 16-games. 

The numbers don't really lie, it's evident that Pace is over the hill and is not a great run blocking OT anymore.  His success rate is around a C average and his failure rate is too high.  This would be one of the main reasons why Ron Turner's play calling seems so redundant, the Bears are not confident in running behind Omiyale and Pace so they in turn run right a lot of the time.  If there is demand for it I'll do a write up on Frank Omiyale through these three games and find out what his success rate is relative to Pace's.  Off the top of my head and having watched the film I will venture a guess and say in fact Omiyale's rate is lower than Pace's rate of success on run plays. 

I'll do this to find out just how bad Omiyale is, although I think it's evident most Bears fans have seen it for themselves at this point. 

Pace obviously seems to wear down late in games and seems to have most of his success when he is fresh and has some bounce in his step.  This level of success is a direct reason why Matt Forte is struggling.  Because if I am seeing this level of failure, then undoubtedly NFL coaches are seeing this level of failure as well and will do things to attack this weak point of the offensive line. 

Moving forward I hope this number improves and the Bears are able to start getting their ground game in gear.  Most of what I saw wasn't a result of missed assignments or any sort of confusion, I mostly saw an old guy getting his butt kicked at a level that is not really acceptable.  Sure Pace does still have the ability to get a good drive block for a pancake, but his once high level dominant play seems to be far behind him. 

I definitely don't feel that his three year deal that he signed with the Bears should be fulfilled.  Pace may get one more year out of it to make it two of three seasons, but beyond that the Bears need to develop another offensive tackle to either step in for Williams on the right side when they move Williams left and do it in the off-season.

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